Lemon-Thyme Grilled Salmon with Quinoa Salad
Grilled salmon fillets marinated in lemon and fresh thyme, served over a refreshing quinoa and herb salad. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, lemon juice, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces, about 6 oz each salmon fillets
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup, uncooked quinoa
- 1 medium, diced cucumber
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 small, finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place 4 salmon fillets in a shallow dish and pour marinade over. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water. Cook quinoa in 2 cups boiling water with a pinch of salt, reduce to simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Let quinoa cool.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, 1 diced cucumber, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 small finely diced red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss to combine.
- Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove salmon from marinade and grill for 4-5 minutes per side until fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 5: Serve grilled salmon fillets over a bed of the quinoa salad for a fresh, balanced meal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Thyme Grilled Salmon with Quinoa Salad take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (30 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Lemon-Thyme Grilled Salmon with Quinoa Salad?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Thyme Grilled Salmon with Quinoa Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Lemon-Thyme Grilled Salmon with Quinoa Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Lemon-Thyme Grilled Salmon with Quinoa Salad?
Mediterranean seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
